6, Fall, 517 AV
Linnaeus' entire world had been turned upside down. Living at the Nitrozian estate was difficult. The labor required of her was not something she was used to, and she was having trouble coping. But she also felt a large amount of gratitude for the family and honestly was okay with the servitude. She felt familiar with dedicating herself to something larger than herself, whether that be a family, a city, or a god.
Still, the sadness that filled her heart and mind was somewhat plaguing, so much that Bryony--the woman who had discovered her along with Hwyn and who oversaw Linn and the other slaves--finally snapped.
"Look, just go out," Bryony angrily said to Linnaeus, her voice stern and her brow furrowed. "Go see some of the city. You've been here for days already and you haven't stopped moping, and don't think I don't hear your sobbing at nighttime." She huffed and turned quickly on her heel, stomping away.
Linnaeus felt a kinship toward Bryony, even if it wasn't returned. Something about her being a part of her being brought to the family estate and putting a roof over her head and clothes on her back.
"Okay," Linnaeus called after her, unsure of what else to say. Her mind went blank. Where the hell was she to go? She didn't know her way around the city one bit--she had been stuck inside of the estate since her arrival. She messed with the long sleeves of her shirt, feeling nervous and uneasy. She walked toward the exit of the estate, seeing other slaves and members of the family along the way, knowing that they must be wondering what she was doing. If anyone stopped her, she would simply tell them that she was going to complete a task for Bryony. Plus, she was allowed some days outside of the estate apparently, although how many she was unsure.
She stepped outside of the estate. Syna was still out, but falling slowly, and soon Leth would adorn the sky--and Linnaeus could not be happier about this. Her constant shifting between selves was exhausting in some way. At night, she was beautiful, resembling a glimmer of her Holy Self, what she once was when she walked Leth's halls. But during the day, when Syna rose, she reverted back to a human form, where she felt tired and weak and hungry.
Unsure of where to go or what to do, Linnaeus wandered. It wasn't long before she was bored of the area around the estate and walked to the edge and found a Ravosala parked, a man of considerable size sitting within, puffing on a pipe.
"Need a ride?" He asked in a gruff voice.
Soon, Linnaeus found herself inside the bustling Merchant's Ring, night quickly approaching, with her cloak wrapped tightly around her body. She smiled wide, amazed by the variety of people she saw. She looked to her side and saw The Malt House, and immediately walked toward it. She knew it would be warm and there seemed to be a glowing hue around it; it seemed inviting and safe.
Linnaeus walked inside and stood in the entrance, unsure of where to go, when all of a sudden light surrounded her. She felt Leth's embrace, and tears welled in her eyes as she was engulfed in the holy light. To those who witnessed the transformation, the dazzling lights were bright and beautiful, a miracle in itself. The light faded and in the small woman's place stood a radiant being, with cool marble skin and yellow horns, with long flowing hair the color or wheat. Linnaeus sighed with relief, and thanked Leth for His blessings.
Then she noticed everyone staring, and the awkwardness of the situation really set in.
Linnaeus' entire world had been turned upside down. Living at the Nitrozian estate was difficult. The labor required of her was not something she was used to, and she was having trouble coping. But she also felt a large amount of gratitude for the family and honestly was okay with the servitude. She felt familiar with dedicating herself to something larger than herself, whether that be a family, a city, or a god.
Still, the sadness that filled her heart and mind was somewhat plaguing, so much that Bryony--the woman who had discovered her along with Hwyn and who oversaw Linn and the other slaves--finally snapped.
"Look, just go out," Bryony angrily said to Linnaeus, her voice stern and her brow furrowed. "Go see some of the city. You've been here for days already and you haven't stopped moping, and don't think I don't hear your sobbing at nighttime." She huffed and turned quickly on her heel, stomping away.
Linnaeus felt a kinship toward Bryony, even if it wasn't returned. Something about her being a part of her being brought to the family estate and putting a roof over her head and clothes on her back.
"Okay," Linnaeus called after her, unsure of what else to say. Her mind went blank. Where the hell was she to go? She didn't know her way around the city one bit--she had been stuck inside of the estate since her arrival. She messed with the long sleeves of her shirt, feeling nervous and uneasy. She walked toward the exit of the estate, seeing other slaves and members of the family along the way, knowing that they must be wondering what she was doing. If anyone stopped her, she would simply tell them that she was going to complete a task for Bryony. Plus, she was allowed some days outside of the estate apparently, although how many she was unsure.
She stepped outside of the estate. Syna was still out, but falling slowly, and soon Leth would adorn the sky--and Linnaeus could not be happier about this. Her constant shifting between selves was exhausting in some way. At night, she was beautiful, resembling a glimmer of her Holy Self, what she once was when she walked Leth's halls. But during the day, when Syna rose, she reverted back to a human form, where she felt tired and weak and hungry.
Unsure of where to go or what to do, Linnaeus wandered. It wasn't long before she was bored of the area around the estate and walked to the edge and found a Ravosala parked, a man of considerable size sitting within, puffing on a pipe.
"Need a ride?" He asked in a gruff voice.
Soon, Linnaeus found herself inside the bustling Merchant's Ring, night quickly approaching, with her cloak wrapped tightly around her body. She smiled wide, amazed by the variety of people she saw. She looked to her side and saw The Malt House, and immediately walked toward it. She knew it would be warm and there seemed to be a glowing hue around it; it seemed inviting and safe.
Linnaeus walked inside and stood in the entrance, unsure of where to go, when all of a sudden light surrounded her. She felt Leth's embrace, and tears welled in her eyes as she was engulfed in the holy light. To those who witnessed the transformation, the dazzling lights were bright and beautiful, a miracle in itself. The light faded and in the small woman's place stood a radiant being, with cool marble skin and yellow horns, with long flowing hair the color or wheat. Linnaeus sighed with relief, and thanked Leth for His blessings.
Then she noticed everyone staring, and the awkwardness of the situation really set in.